Zipper: A Simple Cocktail of Vodka and Chambord

Written by
Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham is a cocktail expert, professional bartender, and cookbook author with over 10 years of experience in the food-writing world.
Learn about our editorial process
Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Published on 05/31/19 by Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham is a cocktail expert, professional bartender, and cookbook author with over 10 years of experience in the food-writing world.
Learn about The Spruce Eats's Editorial Process

Updated 05/31/19

Zipper Cocktail Recipe

 The Spruce
  • Total: 3 mins
  • Prep: 3 mins
  • Cook: 0 mins
  • Yield: 1 Cocktail (1 Serving)

The zipper is a fun and refreshing cocktail that is incredibly easy to mix up. It is, quite simply, a sparkling drink of vodka and Chambord and it's a true delight for any occasion.

The recipe may simple, yet the taste is amazing. The sweet raspberry liqueur backed up by a punch of vodka is the perfect background for a little sparkle. It's one that you'll fall for on the first sip and it may even become a new favorite for happy hour. It's also likely that you have all three ingredients needed right there in your bar. 

Not only is the zipper delicious when poured according to the recipe, it is also a great foundation for a few enhancements. One of the easiest ways is to choose a flavored vodka over a clear one. Think of pouring complementary flavors for the raspberry such as citrus, peach, vanilla, or any of your favorite berry vodkas.

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Zipper Cocktail Recipe
     The Spruce

  2. Build the ingredients in a chilled old-fashioned glass with ice.

    Zipper Cocktail Recipe
    The Spruce 

  3. Garnish with berries and mint, if using.

    Zipper Cocktail Recipe
     The Spruce

  4. Serve and enjoy!

    Zipper Cocktail Recipe
     The Spruce

Add Some Pizzazz to the Zipper

While this recipe is simple, you might like to add a little pizzazz to it. For instance, when fresh berries are in season, muddle a few in the bottom of your glass before pouring the liquors. Raspberries are a natural fit because Chambord is a black raspberry liqueur, but other berries will work as well.

You'll also find that a mint garnish and a squeeze of fresh lime juice add a subtle spark to the cocktail. If you're muddling berries, go ahead and add some mint at that time to get even more of the herb's essence.

Do you have a sparkling wine that you need to use up? It's an excellent substitute for this cocktail's soda. If your wine is a brut, the drink will be slightly dry, which is offset by the sweet Chambord. Even a sec or demi-sec wine will likely not be as sweet as the soda, but all are very nice options.

How Strong Is the Zipper?

The zipper is a very gentle drink and a casual sipper that is perfect for any time of day or occasion. When made with an 80-proof vodka, it is a relatively mild 16 percent ABV (32 proof).

Try Another Flavored Vodka-Soda Cocktail

Mixed drinks like the zipper are very similar to the popular vodka collins. It falls into the category of simple vodka and soda highball drinks and the sweet raspberry is only the beginning of your flavor options.

If you're interested in trying out a few more drinks of this style, you'll find plenty of great options. For instance, the raspberry press begins with a fantastic raspberry vodka which is simply topped with both club soda and Sprite.

In similar fashion, the Air Force One cocktail pairs citrus vodka with Hpnotiq and lemon-lime soda to create a fruity blue highball. The Stoli alibi bypasses the liqueurs and opts for a ginger syrup to add the base flavor.

When you're up for a taste adventure, consider the sweet taste of the sparkling strawberry rosé cocktail. This one pairs strawberry vodka with pear and basil and tops it off with sparkling wine.

Just in case you enjoy a little spice in your cocktail, there's the rocky cucumber recipe. The taste is a fascinating mix of cucumber and hot sauce, backed by a smooth vodka and a little sweet and sour. Need something a bit tamer? The citron sipper recipe also uses cucumber with a nice vodka but opts for cilantro over hot peppers.

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